It
sure was nice enough of Disney to include an instruction on how adults should
properly watch this movie for maximum enjoyment, as you'd have to be "fully
loaded" to be thoroughly entertained by it. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit,
as the film does have its moments, but it sure wouldn't hurt to knock back a few
brews anyway before giving it a go.
I have to be honest with you here. I actually expected a far worse movie, given
the outdated source material and the credentials behind almost all of the makers
of the movie. Director Angela Robinson had just come off of the juvenile lesbian
spy flick, D.E.B.S., which
wasn't exactly the best of debuts. Four screenwriters are credited, which is
also generally not a good sign for a movie that doesn't require much brainpower
to understand. Looking at previous entries in their filmographies, you wouldn't
be wrong to expect another stinker here --
The Pacifier,
Taxi and
Showtime are hardly cinematic
accomplishments to be proud of. Yet, somehow, for their kind of writing, which
tends to cater to an easier to please crowd, a Herbie movie isn’t exactly
expected to exercise your brain cells.
If it works at all, it is thanks to the likeable performances from the stars of
the film, with Lindsay Lohan (Mean
Girls, Freaky Friday),
who practically grew up making movies for Disney, knowing exactly the right way
to play her role. It’s not too serious, but not overly dumb either, playing up
naivety and innocence above all else, which for a family film, is par for the
course. Matt Dillion (Crash,
There's Something About Mary)
is also appealing as the film’s bad guy, while Justin Long (Dodgeball,
Galaxy Quest) is nice and
non-intimidating as the potential main squeeze.
The plot is a pure fantasy, and as silly as they come, but by the time it gets
going, you’re willing to believe anything can happen in the world of Herbie.
The plot is similar to other Herbie films, especially
The Love Bug, where someone
comes into ownership reluctantly, then discovers that the car has a personality,
and they become attached. In addition to physically emoting, Herbie is a fast
little bugger -- er, Bug -- and has the ability to do crazy stunts that are
generated mainly in the mind of the driver.
Lohan plays Maggie Peyton, newly graduated from college (not bad for an 18 year
old actress), and a wanna-be NASCAR driver, which has been a family tradition
for a couple of generations. Rescuing Herbie from the local junkyard, she soon
finds that the 1960s VW Beetle has a mind of its own, and although she is at the
wheel, she is subject to the whim and mercy of the vehicle she is in. Herbie
makes a big splash when Maggie finds herself in an impromptu street race with
NASCAR champion, Trip Murphy (Dillon), and she wins. The event, which was
filmed and broadcast on ESPN, humiliates Trip to the point where he demands a
rematch. From there, Herbie becomes a national sensation, and ultimately
Maggie’s dreams of becoming a champion racecar driver just might turn into
reality, if only she can convince her disapproving father.
If taken on its own terms, i.e. as a children’s film, I suppose Herbie: Fully
Loaded will probably meet with approval from the younger set. Older kids
will probably make fun of it for being corny, and adults familiar with Herbie
might feel there is too much déjà vu in the scant story to merit making yet
another sequel. As a family film, it’s a mixed bag, so keep your expectations
low.
Herbie: Fully Loaded has its moments, but really should have been just a
little cleverer in its gags if it wanted to appeal to anyone but kids. Still,
if you typically like live-action Disney fare, you may find it all innocuous
fun, but as a film, there is little more to it that regurgitated themes from the
previous films wrapped around music video style montages all meant to make you
tap your toes and have a reasonably enjoyable time. All in all, I’m not as
disappointed that Herbie wasn’t a good film as I am pleased that it
wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked like it would be. Amiable, but ultimately
forgettable.
Qwipster's rating:
©2005 Vince Leo
